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Afghanistan steels itself for the Taliban takeover as America pulls out after 20 years

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As the US military withdrew from Afghanistan, the Taliban swept back into power, and thousands of Afghans fled to the airport in Kabul, desperate to leave the country. (Picture: Gallo/ Getty Images)
As the US military withdrew from Afghanistan, the Taliban swept back into power, and thousands of Afghans fled to the airport in Kabul, desperate to leave the country. (Picture: Gallo/ Getty Images)

It was like watching a movie being made in real time. 

Smoke rising from the US embassy as staff hastily burnt classified documents before fleeing. Helicopters swarming overhead. 

The airport clogged with people so desperate to flee they blocked the runway, some even clinging to the sides of planes that were trying to take off. Crowds storming up aircraft steps that buckled under the weight as people fought to get on board. Afghanistan is a country in crisis as a controversial 20-year war comes to an end. 

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